Lil Wayne has expressed his deep disappointment after not being selected to headline the 2025 Super Bowl Halftime show in his native New Orleans. During an Instagram Live session on Thursday, he conveyed feelings of hurt and brokenness since Kendrick Lamar was announced as the performer last weekend.
Despite the setback, Lil Wayne expressed gratitude to his supporters who rallied around him during this challenging time. “Your words turned into arms and held me up when I tried to fall back,” he shared, acknowledging that he felt he had assumed he would be the inevitable choice for the headline performance.
The beloved New Orleans rapper had openly stated his desire to take the stage at the Super Bowl in his hometown. Following the announcement of Lamar’s selection, he received significant support from fans and fellow artists, including Birdman, Nicki Minaj, Juvenile, Cam’ron, and Master P, who all voiced their support for him amid what many perceived as a snub.
In his heartfelt remarks, the 41-year-old artist admitted, “That hurt, hurt a lot, it hurt a whole lot. I blame myself for not being mentally prepared for a letdown,” emphasizing the emotional toll of the situation. He further reflected on the importance of performing at such a prestigious event, stating, “I thought there was nothing better than that spot, that stage, and that platform in my city.”
Lil Wayne also acknowledged the role of his fans in helping him cope with the disappointment, crediting them for reminding him of his worth despite the setback. “It made me feel like [expletive] not getting this opportunity and when I felt like [expletive], you guys reminded me that I ain’t [expletive] without y’all. And that’s an amazing reality,” he shared.
He articulated that the disappointment “broke” him and that he is working on healing with support from his peers, friends, and family. The five-time Grammy winner also apologized to his 19 million followers for the delay in speaking about the situation, explaining that he needed time to gather the strength to address it.
Lil Wayne, born Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., rose to fame in the late 1990s as a member of the Hot Boys and has since achieved numerous accolades, including 25 Top 10 hits and five Billboard 200 No. 1 albums.
The NFL recently confirmed that Kendrick Lamar will headline the 2025 Super Bowl Halftime show on February 9 at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. This will mark Lamar’s second Super Bowl performance, having previously performed with several artists at the 2022 event. Lamar expressed his intention to use the platform to highlight the impact of rap music, while Roc Nation’s Jay-Z praised him as a unique talent capable of influencing culture on a global scale.
While Lil Wayne has not received an immediate response from Lamar or the NFL representatives regarding his comments, the halftime show often features surprise guests, leaving the possibility open for Wayne to still make an appearance during the performance.